Catalogue description RICHARD HARWOOD AND SON, LTD; FINE SPINNERS AND DOUBLERS BROWNLOW FOLD MILLS, HALLIWELL

ZHD/1 - 11. GENERAL EVIDENCES, INCLUDING ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, PATENTS, STOCKS AND SHARES.

ZHD/12 - 30. COMPANY MANAGER'S AND GENERAL OFFICE RECORDS.

ZHD/31 - 67. GENERAL FINANCIAL RECORDS.

ZHD/68 - 154. PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURING AND QUALITY CONTROL RECORDS.

ZHD/155 - 158. POWER AND EQUIPMENT RECORDS.

ZHD/159 - 234. PURCHASING RECORDS: RAW COTTON, YARN AND EQUIPMENT.

ZHD/235 - 504. SALES AND EXPORT RECORDS.

ZHD/505 - 545. WAGES AND PERSONNEL RECORDS.

ZHD/546 - 559. SPORTS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITY RECORDS.

ZHD/560 - 585. GLADSTONE STREET MILL COMPANY RECORDS.

Richard Harwood and Son Ltd, Bolton, cotton spinners and doublers

Richard Harwood, youngest son of John Harwood and his wife Margaret (née Smith) was born at Heaton in the parish of Deane in 1816. Originally a cabinet maker, he went into business as a cotton spinner with James Taylor about 1850. The first mill at Brownlow Fold was built in 1860. Brownlow Fold No.2 Mill was built in 1905, and No.3 Mill in 1907.

Richard Harwood was a prominent Liberal politician. He served on Bolton Borough Council, and became Mayor in 1863. Later, he moved his place of residence to Buile Hill, Pendleton, Salford, and was elected to Salford Council, serving as Mayor of Salford for three years, 1873-1876.

Richard Harwood was succeeded in the business by his second son, George Harwood, born in 1845. George Harwood also played a role in the local Liberal party, and eventually was elected as M.P. for Bolton.

The firm remained independent until after World War II, when it became part of Fine Spinners and Doublers Ltd. The Harwood Group of Fine Spinners & doublers Ltd comprised a number of Bolton mills, including Gladstone Street, Halliwell, and premises formerly part of Messrs Ormrod & Hardcastle at Parrot Street and Flash Street, Bolton. In the 1960s, Fine Spinners and Doublers became part of Courtaulds.

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